Director Zack Snyder denied that he was developing a Star Wars film in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter, after news broke Monday that he was working on a non-trilogy Star Wars film based on Seven Samurai (see "Zack Snyder Developing 'Star Wars' Film"). "Zack is not involved in any way with the new Star Wars," his rep told the Reporter. "He is currently in post on his two films, Man of Steel and 300: Battle of Artemisia."

The usually reliable Vulture, which originated the story on Snyder’s involvement with Star Wars, fired back. "Vulture stands by its story," the statement said. "This reporter heard through a source very familiar with the situation that Snyder recently flew up to Marin County to meet with Lucasfilm execs about the project." It goes on to speculate that the reason for Snyder’s unwillingness to admit involvement is a desire to avoid antagonizing Warners, for whom he is wrapping up post-production on the high stakes Man of Steel.